J.J. Cale dies; wrote Clapton, Skynyrd hits

Sunday

J.J. Cale, a musician who wrote two of Eric Clapton's biggest hits, has died at the age of 74.

The news was broken on Cale's Facebook page. His official website has also been updated to say the singer and guitarist died Friday at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla, Calif., after a heart attack.

Cale influenced Mark Knopfler and also Clapton, who covered his songs "After Midnight" and "Cocaine."

Cale also had hit albums in his own name, with a blend of country, rock, boogie and folk very often said to be "laid- back." The releases of the 1970s are especially fine, with "Okie" in 1974 and its follow-up "Troubadour" his peak performances.

The Oklahoma-born Cale worked with acts such as Delaney & Bonnie before starting a solo career.

Cale was an understated figure whose Twitter account followed nobody and had only 880 followers. He was a guitar player who avoided shows and yet played some outstanding rock solos, especially when dueling with his friend Clapton.

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